Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
Mark 7:1 records Pharisees and certain scribes from Jerusalem coming together to Jesus as a deputation. He had stayed away from the Passover gathering where the leaders had expected Him and had laid a trap for Him. Because He did not go to them, they came to Him.
The leaders sent this delegation because they were jealous of the growing reception of Jesus. It was sent for the express purpose of watching His actions closely in order to find grounds to accuse Him and trap Him. Their confrontation concerned the disciples' failure to observe the traditional ceremonial washing of hands before eating. The dispute shows religious leaders elevating human rules above God's commandments and treating tradition as more sacred than God's law. This confusing of common customs with sacred requirements resulted from departure from true piety.
Mark 7:1 records Pharisees and certain scribes from Jerusalem coming together to Jesus as a deputation. He had stayed away from the Passover gathering where the leaders had expected Him and had laid a trap for Him. Because He did not go to them, they came to Him.
The leaders sent this delegation because they were jealous of the growing reception of Jesus. It was sent for the express purpose of watching His actions closely in order to find grounds to accuse Him and trap Him. Their confrontation concerned the disciples' failure to observe the traditional ceremonial washing of hands before eating. The dispute shows religious leaders elevating human rules above God's commandments and treating tradition as more sacred than God's law. This confusing of common customs with sacred requirements resulted from departure from true piety.